Sam Mitchell and Zach Merrett Set for State of Origin Reunion
Sam Mitchell will get the opportunity to coach Zach Merrett when they join forces for Victoria's State of Origin clash against Western Australia on Saturday night in Perth. This pairing comes after last year's headline-grabbing trade period, where Merrett, then Essendon captain, made a bombshell attempt to move to Mitchell's Hawthorn, though the deal ultimately fell through.
Mitchell's Cautious Approach to Merrett Questions
Speaking exclusively to 7NEWS chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary, Mitchell was asked if he looked forward to coaching Merrett and getting to know him better. Mitchell replied, "I didn't know where that question was going. I haven't thought too much about it." When Cleary persisted with whether he would make another play for Merrett this season, Mitchell paused and said, "Umm ... yeah, furthest thing from my mind at the moment. I'll let you know in six months."
With the new AFL season approaching, Mitchell acknowledged he would face more questions about Merrett and planned to have a consistent answer ready. When asked if he had remained in contact with Merrett, Mitchell again deflected, saying, "I'll let you know." Recent reports suggest Merrett is open to staying at Essendon when his contract ends in 2027, but Channel 7 expert Kane Cornes noted there is "zero reason" for the Bombers to act now.
Team Strategy and AI Integration in Pre-Season
Mitchell was also reluctant to discuss his team's lineup for the 2026 season, noting changes such as the scrapped substitute rule and having 23 players available. When asked about playing two rucks, Lloyd Meek and Ned Reeves, and a forward line with four talls including Jack Gunston and Mitch Lewis, Mitchell considered the possibility but avoided specifics. He told Cleary, "I'm not picking the team with you today. It's still the start of February so we haven't picked a team. We've got a heap of experiments to do."
In a modern twist, Mitchell revealed he has been using AI throughout the pre-season, with Hawthorn insiders calling it his new obsession. He explained, "I'd love to say we have this big, grand plan for it, but I think we're using it on an individual basis as a collective push. We know that's the future of technology. Every club is trying to use technology to get an edge." Mitchell shared an example of using AI to prepare for a player conversation, saying it sometimes leads him down a garden path but helps in framing discussions effectively.
